Recently, mental health speaker and Amazon bestselling author Jeff Yalden was busy packing for a trip to Houston. He was feeling good – ready to tackle his day when he got a message from a friend who was struggling with some issues and is in counseling.
Right away, it hit him that he wished he had known sooner. If you know a friend is struggling, you want to be able to at least lend an ear and be supportive.
The Struggle Is Real
Episode 52 of The BOOM Podcast covers Day Six of Jeff’s 28-Day Attitude of Gratitude series – and today it’s about mental health.
Jeff has said that he is a man who struggles with mental illness every day, and he makes no bones about it.
“The struggle is real for so many of us,” he said. “I am grateful that I have spent 25 years in counseling and therapy. I am grateful that probably over the past five or six years, my therapy has really become so important to me. Every single day, I am learning. I am grateful that I have a platform where I can share it, and grateful that I have the self-esteem to not be afraid to talk about mental illness.”
He likens mental illness to allergies. If you have allergies, you take an allergy medication. It’s time people see that the proper medication for those struggling with certain mental or emotional issues is the same thing. For Jeff, it’s high time that the stigma attached to mental illness is eradicated.
And self-care is not selfish.
“I learned that you can’t take time back. You need to recognize how we use that time – whether we should take some time for ourselves versus constantly grinding. Recognize what you need and how to best spend your time,” he said.
Be grateful for the moments you have.
“I am grateful for you – that you have chosen to listen to these very simple words. I don’t know what you are going through in your life, within the four walls of your house. You might be dealing with divorce or blended family – financially trying times, addiction or alcoholism. You might be dealing with pain in your heart.”
But you can find something that you are grateful for right now and focus on that.
“Life is not perfect. Life will never be perfect, but I want you to be thankful. I want you to be appreciative, and I want you to just stop and recognize that we’re not perfect. But let’s recognize what we have.”
Find out why Jeff Yalden is North America’s Number One Youth Motivational Speaker. Go HERE.Check out Jeff’s new nonprofit, THE JEFF YALDEN FOUNDATION.
Jeff’s speaking calendar fills up fast. To book him now for your event, organization or school now, call 800-948-9289.
For a limited time, you can own Jeff’s new book, Your Life Matters, for only $0.99 on KINDLE.
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